Study: State workers compensation rose 23 pct. in 5 years | News

Public employee unions disagree with the report, which they say unfairly labels them as the source of California's budget problems. They point out per capita income includes every Californian, including people not working, like retirees and highly-paid public university executives ... groups that skew the numbers.

The unions also say the average state worker has taken numerous pay cuts, furloughs and pension reductions since the Schwarzenegger administration.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees says the focus should be on corporate tax breaks.

"The tax credits that the state of California provides to corporations who do not pay taxes in this state because they set up a company in Reno --- that's the problem for our state. Not state employees how provide essential services to the people who live here," said the federation spokesman Willie Pelote.

Records from the state Controller's Office, though, show payroll did jump nearly $2.5 billion between 2005 and 2010 ... that's just counting wages, overtime and vacation buy-outs; no pensions.

Nannette Miranda
ABC7